title: Diurnal differences in response to oral levodopa.
abstract: Diurnal differences in duration and quality of motor response to levodopa are frequently described by patients. The quality and duration of motor responses were objectively assessed to morning and afternoon oral levodopa doses in five patients with Parkinsonian motor fluctuations who complained of diurnal variation in response to their normal levodopa medication. Results suggest that under controlled conditions which eliminated the effects of diet and overlapping levodopa effects the response to levodopa remained unchanged throughout the day, and that the duration of response could be predicted by plasma levodopa levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Middlesex and University College Hospitals School of Medicine, London.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pirtosek
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kempster
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bovingdon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa